Kenya Simbas head coach Paul Odera believes the team can achieve more by quickly shifting from the culture cultivated by his predecessors Ian Snook and Jerome Paarwater.
Speaking after leading his charges to a 36-14 win against Victoria Cup winners Zimbabwe over the weekend, Odera who holds a World Rugby Level 3 Coaching Certificate said he has already started building afresh.
South African Paarwaters left the team in December 2017 after five years at the helm, while New Zealander Snook took over in March 2018 continuing “the unfruitful culture” Odera is scrapping off.
Snook’s reign ended in January, with the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) terminating his contract for failing to guide Kenya to 2019 World Cup.
“I inherited a team that had a culture can’t build on anymore. We are going to start from zero since the team has set a good foundation,” said Odera.
Odera has called for patience as rebuilding process continues, warning impatient fans over criticism could jeorpadize development of the youthful team he is working with.
“It’s sad to see criticism in our social media platforms targeting the young lads. They also feel, they want to win, they have families… we have to let them play,” emphasized Odera.
Odera believes with the expansion of the Victoria Cup, Simbas have a bigger opportunity to gain the necessary experience by playing tough opponents in the continent.
“It’s a good competition because the more test matches we play as African teams will bring us next to the likes of South Africa and Namibia, the African 15s rugby powerhouses,” Odera explained.
Simba finished second in the Victoria Cup after losing only two matches against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and Uganda in Nairobi.
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